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As a guy who subscribed to XM before Sirius even existed, don't remind me.

I'd have to go dig out old credit card statements to get the accurate figures but my memory says my satellite radio costs have more than doubled since I originally subscribed. Maybe they have tripled.

And for essentially the same programming although now I get Howard Stern. I've never liked Howard Stern.

You're telling me......I signed up with XM in mid 2005. I was paying about $140 a year. I got my bill last month, it's up to $220 a year. I canceled.

Of course my use has changed too. I was using mine mainly on my motorcycle and I was doing MANY long distance trips which I'm not doing very many now at all. The other impact has been that back in 2005 my cell phone was just a cell phone. Today my cell phone has every record and CD I've ever owned loaded into it....LOL. Why do I need XM....LOL

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is how many people are going to lose their jobs because of the redundancy between the two companies? This reminds me of our Auto industry back in 2008 when they were talking of the GM/Chrysler Merger which would have been detrimental to the local economy and the jobs lost.

Of course, this could be different, but i'm sure there would be some job losses.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is how many people are going to lose their jobs because of the redundancy between the two companies? This reminds me of our Auto industry back in 2008 when they were talking of the GM/Chrysler Merger which would have been detrimental to the local economy and the jobs lost.

Of course, this could be different, but i'm sure there would be some job losses.

I don't see huge cuts but I could see a reduction at higher levels. The amount of calls and customers wouldn't change so therefor call centers, installers, and support staffs would probably increase, which make up the bulk of employees of both companies, distribution and warehouses would possibly be impacted depending on redundancy.

However even if it happened today the consumer aspects wouldn't change for at least 2 years just due to the sheer volume of technology aspects. I would bet it would take at least 6 years for existing customers to even start to see technology changes one way or the other. If one company had a stockpile of cash like Apple does it might be faster because they could just eat the loss easier of a more aggressive change but it still wouldn't take more than a year or two off at most.

Neither company has the money to change all of their older receivers over to receivers that would be compatible with the other company. The customers with MPEG4 receivers would be a step ahead but there are millions of older receivers that would need to be replaced to take advantage of the extra satellite space. The two systems would remain separate for years.

Even if DISH MPEG4 customers were migrated over to DirecTV satellites it would mean a new dish. It isn't an impossible task, but it is an expensive one. Such a massive change will either cut into the profits of the combined company or lead to higher rates. As long as cable keeps raising their rates "DirectDISHTV" could raise rates and still be competitive. But it still seems like a formula for higher rates for all. Not "pro-consumer".

My question is what hardware platform would we have to go with? Would we all transition to a new UI and hardware or could we keep either a HR or a VIP. Most likely we would be all forced to one of them and millions of customers would have to learn a whole new system.

It took along time for the FTC to allow XM and Sirius ! Now Fnck with peoples TV with less choices and history with congress and Cable TV prices going up ! They will have a huge fight with public out cry

DirecTV was the only company to have something like 16+ straight quarters with net growth. Every other big provider was losing quarter after quarter...

You've got to get past your personal anger over Pac12 Network and look at the big picture.

Perhaps, but time will really tell the answer. Truth be told Directv is forcing me away. They offer me upgrades in equipment, fees off each month, but I tell them NO. I want Pac 12, period. So how is it they offer me extras to stay? This just costs them money.

What exactly has he done at the expense of customers? They've added content, features, and products. They completed 39 retrans deals in 2010, most if not all of 80 in 2011, and the numbers for 2012 will be very high as well.

OK, well they lost the Pac 12 and now subsidiary Root Sports NW is showing high school games because there is no content available to them in the NW area! I don't want to watch high school football! Last year they showed Pac 12.

OK, they lost the contract....so I should naturally get a rebate....Pac 12 viewership is worth more than high school football.

OK, well they lost the Pac 12 and now subsidiary Root Sports NW is showing high school games because there is no content available to them in the NW area! I don't want to watch high school football! Last year they showed Pac 12.

OK, they lost the contract....so I should naturally get a rebate....Pac 12 viewership is worth more than high school football.

Here's just one move that has been at the expense of customers./

That's one recently launched channel they haven't added. Again, what have they done at the expense of customers?

OK, well they lost the Pac 12 and now subsidiary Root Sports NW is showing high school games because there is no content available to them in the NW area! I don't want to watch high school football! Last year they showed Pac 12.

OK, they lost the contract....so I should naturally get a rebate....Pac 12 viewership is worth more than high school football.

Here's just one move that has been at the expense of customers./

They did not *lose* the PAC-12! They never had an agreement with them to lose it! It isn't like they black the games out or something. The PAC 12's deal with the networks which used to air them ended and they created a new channel. A channel that would cost everyone more if they added it! I'm not an idiot. I imagine one day it will be. But until then it sounds like if you want to go this route it's the Pac-12 you should be mad at, not Directv. They have the same channels they had previously.

It's ridiculous. As one who couldn't care less about the channel the complaints everywhere in multiple threads is stupid. It's here and I noticed on Directv's fb page too. They post about the Emmys and people are whining about this channel there.

It's ridiculous. As one who couldn't care less about the channel the complaints everywhere in multiple threads is stupid. It's here and I noticed on Directv's fb page too. They post about the Emmys and people are whining about this channel there.

The mods recently requested that we keep programming discussion to one thread.

That's one recently launched channel they haven't added. Again, what have they done at the expense of customers?

I just answered your question. They don't have the Pac 12 Network, they don't carry CSN NW so I can watch my local NBA team, and get this, they now show high school football on Root Sports NW (a Directv subsidiary) because they lost all the other content to other providers......NBA Blazers to Comcast, Pac 12 to Pac 12 Network, and others. So there it is. My rates are the same and I get high school sports because Directv lost the content to everyone else. You'd think with less content the cost of Root Sports NW should be less....Directv WAS the sports leader, no more.

Now, of course you can simply repeat the same question again and I can answer it again the same way; I am thinking that perhaps you are Mike White in disguise with your defense of him.

They did not *lose* the PAC-12! They never had an agreement with them to lose it! It isn't like they black the games out or something. The PAC 12's deal with the networks which used to air them ended and they created a new channel. A channel that would cost everyone more if they added it! I'm not an idiot. I imagine one day it will be. But until then it sounds like if you want to go this route it's the Pac-12 you should be mad at, not Directv. They have the same channels they had previously.

They had Pac 12 content on subsidiary Root Sports NW......now they lost Pac 12 content on Root Sports NW and have replaced that content with high school sports.

Yes I can be mad at the Pac 12 to some extent.

But I also can be mad at Directv. Directv charges for having a regional sports channel. The channel USED to carry Pac 12. Now it does now. So Root Sports pays LESS for its content, but still pockets the same amount of subsciber fees. Directv really should apply those subscriber fees to getting Pac 12 Network or refund them directly to me.

I just answered your question. They don't have the Pac 12 Network, they don't carry CSN NW so I can watch my local NBA team, and get this, they now show high school football on Root Sports NW (a Directv subsidiary) because they lost all the other content to other providers......NBA Blazers to Comcast, Pac 12 to Pac 12 Network, and others. So there it is. My rates are the same and I get high school sports because Directv lost the content to everyone else. You'd think with less content the cost of Root Sports NW should be less....Directv WAS the sports leader, no more.

Now, of course you can simply repeat the same question again and I can answer it again the same way; I am thinking that perhaps you are Mike White in disguise with your defense of him.

Thanks. I only wanted to get the full list of his failures, in your opinion, that have so deeply hurt DirecTV's 20 million customers. Three RSN's is all it takes apparently.

Thanks. I only wanted to get the full list of his failures, in your opinion, that have so deeply hurt DirecTV's 20 million customers. Three RSN's is all it takes apparently.

OK Mike. Make it all so simple. That's what you want to make it - so black and white.

This is one (or is it two or three) failures that directly impact ME.

I am sure there are others that have other examples of direct impact.

Mike, I am also sure you want to make it so black and white to prove your point that Directv is such an awesome company and you are doing such an awesome job as CEO to the shareholders and customers alike. That's what a CEO is paid to do. Mike, its to create the appearance that all is dandy and great in neverland. To somehow make the customers THINK they are getting a good deal when in reality you are screwing them over. It's mass marketing 101 and Mike you certainly have done a good job shoveling the B.S. to the customer. You've convinced quite a few that despite the fact that the Pac 12 has offered Directv the same deal as Dish Network (and the others) that still somehow Pac 12 is playing hardball (as you had your employees post over on your Facebook page)

Good job Mike. I am sure you will have another great FAQ posted to your company's webpage today about how I do not need the Pac 12. Maybe this time you can get the right # of Pac 12 games??

It's ridiculous. As one who couldn't care less about the channel the complaints everywhere in multiple threads is stupid. It's here and I noticed on Directv's fb page too. They post about the Emmys and people are whining about this channel there.

But in all seriousness, a merger would do what? A combined entity with say 35M customers would be the biggest provider of in home TV services It would have incredible leverage with content providers. No doubt a combined entity would reduce fees to content providers.

But as consumers is it even reasonable to expect that we get this "savings" in our bills? Fat chance. It will all go to the new combined entity.